Ovens are often the heart of the kitchen. Depending on your cooking needs or aspirations, they can turn your cooking space into an efficient and practical area, or transform it into a hub of culinary adventure. Your oven can even transform your kitchen design, creating a sleek minimalist or welcoming feel. If you’re in the process of picking one, here’s what you need to know about your options. 

A Guide to Choosing an Oven

1. Gas Oven

These ovens use gas as the power source. Although the initial installation costs may be high (especially if you need to get a gas line installed), many people opt for a gas oven because they tend to be cheaper to run in the long term. Some people also prefer the way gas ovens cook food, as they heat up faster and tend to be more humid. The moisture makes them an excellent choice for cooking succulent roast meat.

2. Electric Oven 

Electric ovens are inexpensive, low maintenance, and come in a range of sizes. They’re also easy to use, making them a popular kitchen design choice. They heat evenly, and the air inside is dry, which makes for a delicious, crisp bake. Electric ovens can be split into two types: convection and conduction. The latter heats from the bottom up and is more inexpensive. A convection oven uses a fan to circulate the air around the oven, spreading the temperature evenly, which makes it more efficient to run, as you don’t need to keep it at such a high temperature.

3. Steam Oven

This option uses steam to cook food; it does so by heating water to extremely high temperatures, which releases hot steam into the oven. They have become popular over the last few years, as they are recognized as being a healthy and tasty way to cook food. Food retains more of its flavor and nutrients because the steam keeps it moist. While a traditional steam oven is unable to achieve a crisp, browned finish, manufacturers have rectified that by introducing convection steam ovens that include a traditional heating element to give you the best of both worlds.

The design team at Hudson Valley Kitchen Design has over 100 years of combined experience serving New Hampton, Orange County, the Hudson Valley, Goshen, Beacon, and Monroe, NY. They specialize in kitchen design services and pride themselves on providing comprehensive remodels. For more information or to make an appointment, visit their website or call on (845) 645-9410.